This article presents a brief overview of the prevalence and other characteristics of asthma in Australia. This article presents information from a number of sources, including the 2001 and 2004-05 ABS National Health Survey (NHS), 2004 Causes of Death data, and data published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). It should be noted that the 2001 and 2004-05 NHS excluded persons in hospitals, nursing and convalescent homes and hospices and hence the data relates only to persons in private dwellings.